Campaign Urges Instagram Users to Share Positive Messages on Self Harm Awareness Day

This Self Harm Awareness Day, young people’s charity The Mix is urging everyone across the UK to show their support for young people struggling with self-harm by sharing a positive message of love and self-care, and signposting to The Mix on social media.

The charity, which is part of Heads Together, reaches over 3 million under-25-year-olds each year. 22% of users on The Mix’s key online services do so to seek support and information about self-harm. 

In addition to this, nearly a quarter of The Mix’s total enquiries come from professionals such as GPs and teachers, and parents seeking information about how to support young people.

Chris Martin, CEO of The Mix, said: “The issue of young people who self-harm has rightly found its way to the top of the media agenda this year, following the sad losses of Molly Russell and Zoe Watts.

“As the UK’s only digital charity for young people, The Mix has been at the very centre of the debate and worked with Facebook and Instagram to do more to keep young people safe on social.

“This Self Harm Awareness Day, we want everyone to help us tell more young people struggling with self-harm that charities like The Mix are here to help. 

“We believe young people can use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to improve the lives of people who self-harm, by sending positive messages of support and signposting to those they know who are struggling.

“And we want more parents and professionals to know that that a safe space for those who self-harm does exist online. They can help us by signposting to The Mix or making a donation to help us do more of our vital work supporting young people.”

The Mix is asking social media users to use the #SHAD19 and offer a message of support – with the message: “If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm, talk to The Mix.”

The Mix has created a video campaign to raise awareness around the different types of self-harm, and what causes people to self-harm. Three individual videos tell the stories of three young people who have suffered with self-harm, with voiceovers in the form of poems to tell their stories. The videos remind users that, if they are struggling with any of these issues, The Mix is there to help.

Sian Bradley, aged 22, is a young person who has struggled with self-harm and has received support from The Mix. She will also be working with the charity this Self Harm Awareness Day to remind people that self-harm only provides short-term relief. As part of her work, she has written a blog for The Mix advising young people on what to do when they feel the compulsion to self-harm and last night hosted an Instagram Live about self-harm.